This is the 4th Snapper I have owned and the review for this commercial model is after one season's use. Overall, I have praise for this mower and B&S engine. No problems were encountered over the entire season. The engine always starts with "one pull.." Great! However, there is one annoyance and I one initial set up problem.

The mower arrives in a large box with the hardware in a bag. The bag had broken during shipment and the hardware was scattered. Someone decided (Snapper must assume the owner is a "commercial user" with good tool box and air tools) that self-tapping Torx screws (1/4-20) would be best for mounting the console rather than Phillips or hex head.

One of these was missing and another could not be installed because the hole in the handle was too small. I had to replacement them both with hex head so I could apply enough torque to "self" tap the holes. Why not tap them for the customer? I assume they wanted to be sure they were "tight"... and yes they were!

A real annoyance is the interference between the oil filler cap and the starter rope. The rope runs directly OVER the top of the oil filler cap/stick. So every time the oil is checked, the owner must use both hands... one to move the rope out of the way to avoid wiping oil off the dip stick with the rope! Poor design. B&S not talking to Snapper er vice versa.

Another annoyance is oil replacement. No drain plug in the bottom which means it is nearly impossible to drain ALL the old oil out by just "tipping it over.. " not to mention the physical problem of doing this. The solution is buying a pump to remove it which works but just another expense. I think engine mfgs quit putting plugs in bottom for some reason.

The mower's guard on the rear will "drag" and try to fold-back under the frame IF the cutting height adjustment is not set high (above 4). it is not suppose to do this the way it was designed but it does on mine.

The mower's frame is very rigid especially with the extra bracing on the handles. This is good for but you will feel every bump in your yard.

The engine has a lot torque and it will cut and mulch the high grass but works best only when dry other wise the deck will fill in with cut grass.

I never did like the wheels on a Snapper. They are too narrow so they don't distribute out the weight and smash down the grass.. Even more noticeable on this mower because it is heavier. Not bad.. just noticeable but since it is rated "Commercial" this is probably not much of a concern. I really like the "cast" decks on the early Snappers as they were "light in weight.." but guess safety and cost required the change to heavier steel.

Be sure to change the oil after the first 4-5 hours. Engine will "use some oil" and it will be dirty after break-in. After that, very little oil was needed during the season to top it off. 3rd party filters are available at lower cost. The B&S filters were not available from my local supplier.

This is the 4th Snapper I have owned and the review for this commercial model is after one season's use. Overall, I have praise for this mower and B&S engine. No problems were encountered over the entire season. The engine always starts with "one pull.." Great! However, there is one annoyance and I one initial set up problem.

The mower arrives in a large box with the hardware in a bag. The bag had broken during shipment and the hardware was scattered. Someone decided... more

Pros:I'd Buy It Again, Durable, Reliable, Fast

Melvyn Recommends This Snapper Mower

Was this review helpful?

41

Michael K.Palm Harbor, FL

Purchased 6/16/17

REVIEWED

JUL.

11

2017

Well Built Mower!

It is well worth the extra money to buy the "commercial" Ninja model. With the reinforced deck, the oil filter and the solid rubber tires it is made for long term service. All I had to do was assemble and install the handle and add the engine oil (Snapper should provide a quart of oil in the carton to insure the new owner adds it.). I am sure I will have many years of trouble free service from this mower!

Pros:High Quality, Durable, Reliable, Easy To Use

Cons:Expensive, A container of oil should be included.

Michael Recommends This Snapper Mower

Michael's Experience With Power Equipment Direct

Web Site

5/5

Service

5/5

Shipping

5/5

"Mowers Direct was easy to order from and the mower arrived very quickly."

This mower was easy to assemble and arrived in one box. I read the instructions, filled the oil and gas and it started on the first pull. It's always started on the first pull. Lots of power for tall grasses and I like the variable speed drive on the rear wheels. Very sturdy mower, the Briggs and Stratton 8.5 engine is very powerful and loud.

Pros:High Quality, I'd Buy It Again, Reliable, Easy To Use

Cons:Loud

Carl Recommends This Snapper Mower

Carl's Experience With Power Equipment Direct

Web Site

5/5

Service

5/5

Shipping

5/5

"Mowers Direct did everything they said they would and delivered a fine product."

much the same it's been for years, the best drive system out there for ease of use & durability , except for the engage cable that breaks often, needs re-engineering. the out-ward curl on deck bottom is a good improvement, rather than inward which built up more crud underneath & made cleaning it out harder.

The plastic thumb screws on the chute opening are a joke, busted first time you get close to a fence, curb, or tree. I have both the Honda & Briggs engines. The Briggs is better on longer grass. Doesn't bog down as much as the Honda. I'm a landscaper for 25 years & snapper is best choice in 21" mowers.

much the same it's been for years, the best drive system out there for ease of use & durability , except for the engage cable that breaks often, needs re-engineering. the out-ward curl on deck bottom is a good improvement, rather than inward which built up more crud underneath & made cleaning it out harder.

The plastic thumb screws on the chute opening are a joke, busted first time you get close to a fence, curb, or tree. I have both the Honda & Briggs engines. The Briggs is... more

Matthew Recommends This Snapper Mower

Was this review helpful?

190

Tim S.Westland, MI

Purchased 4/30/15

11 Helpful Votes

REVIEWED

MAY.

04

2015

Very Tough Mower

I ordered it last Thursday, and it arrived on Friday. 20 hrs after ordering it. I was shocked. I put it together and have used it a couple times now, I cut lawns. It's got awesome power, 8.5 hp with a screw-on oil filter. This is the little mower I have always wanted. Fair price, tough unit.

Tim Recommends This Snapper Mower

Was this review helpful?

111

Glade R.Shelton, WA

Purchased 5/17/15

REVIEWED

JUN.

07

2015

Great Mower

I ordered it because it and its sibling (the sibling is setup for bagging this one is setup for mulching) were the only ones I could find with non-plastic wheels. Every other push mower I could find anything to read about (no matter how deluxe and/or expensive) seems to sport plastic wheels -- which was a point of failure on our last mower.

It arrived quickly, in perfect condition and was easy to assemble. It started on the first easy pull, and has started on the first pull each time since.

Even though heavier than our last mower, it free-wheel pushes far more easily. Probably because of the ball bearings in the wheels, and the fact the drive mechanism thoroughly disengages when not wanted.

Speaking of that drive mechanism, the complete and easy engage-disengage is a pleasure to work with. The variable speed is a pleasure to work with also, and the speed range (from max slow to max fast) is perfect. I also find I like rear wheel drive better, as compared to our old mower's front drive.

I also very much like the fact I was able to order a mulching-mower designed as such, and not have to modify one as otherwise setup for bagging, nor have an unwanted bag and accessories to store and/or throw away.

All in all, this thing is a beaut! Quality is better than first rate. You feel good operating it, like you're driving an Audi or a BMW, as opposed to a 1970s-quality Chevrolet. Really, it sparkles quality through and through. I love it.

I ordered it because it and its sibling (the sibling is setup for bagging this one is setup for mulching) were the only ones I could find with non-plastic wheels. Every other push mower I could find anything to read about (no matter how deluxe and/or expensive) seems to sport plastic wheels -- which was a point of failure on our last mower.

It arrived quickly, in perfect condition and was easy to assemble. It started on the first easy pull, and has started on the first pull each time... more

Glade Recommends This Snapper Mower

Was this review helpful?

90

Warren H.Rockport, TX

Purchased 1/5/16

REVIEWED

JAN.

27

2016

I Like My New Snapper Ninja Commercial Mower

My first Snapper commercial mower was powered by a two-cycle Wisconsin-Robin engine, it only lasted 18 years. When it finally played out I knew exactly what I wanted. My experience with Mowers Direct has been nothing short of first rate. The first mower arrived damaged. Mowers Direct replaced it immediately, no questions asked.

The mower is typical Snapper quality. This particular model is powered by a 190 cc commercial Briggs & Stratton engine. Plenty of power for my South Texas St Augustine lawn.

I recommend Mowers Direct!

My first Snapper commercial mower was powered by a two-cycle Wisconsin-Robin engine, it only lasted 18 years. When it finally played out I knew exactly what I wanted. My experience with Mowers Direct has been nothing short of first rate. The first mower arrived damaged. Mowers Direct replaced it immediately, no questions asked.

The mower is typical Snapper quality. This particular model is powered by a 190 cc commercial Briggs & Stratton engine. Plenty of power for my South Texas St... more

Pros:High Quality, Exceeded Expectations, Reliable, I'd Buy It Again

Cons:Packaging, Expensive

Warren Recommends This Snapper Mower

Was this review helpful?

60

Bruce H.Owensboro, KY

Purchased 8/18/15

REVIEWED

SEP.

30

2015

Proven Reliability

I started out working in a shop that maintained mowers and yard equipment, during that time I found Snappers to be one of the best for durability and maintenance. I recently bought this mower because my new yard has inclines to maintain and felt I needed a self propelled mower for that reason. So I handed down my previous Snapper that I have used for 20 years to one of my sons.

Initial assembly was simple and straight forward, after servicing it started right up, no priming and it really does start on the first pull. It mowed great without bogging through the tall stuff (the yard hadn't been mowed in awhile). I opted for the commercial version because I liked getting the steel wheels with bearings and having an oil filter is a great bonus. My previous mower had worn out the plastic wheels, and replacing them cost $80 so that made it worth it to me.

I started out working in a shop that maintained mowers and yard equipment, during that time I found Snappers to be one of the best for durability and maintenance. I recently bought this mower because my new yard has inclines to maintain and felt I needed a self propelled mower for that reason. So I handed down my previous Snapper that I have used for 20 years to one of my sons.

Initial assembly was simple and straight forward, after servicing it started right up, no priming and it really... more

Pros:Durable, Reliable, High Quality, I'd Buy It Again

Bruce Recommends This Snapper Mower

Bruce's Experience With Power Equipment Direct

Web Site

5/5

Service

5/5

Shipping

5/5

"Simple to order, price to value is excellent, and no tax or shipping cost."

Old snapper conked out the day i left on vacation. Yard was pretty woolly upon my return. Local shops did not have lawnmower i needed.

The lawnmower I purchased on line arrived quickly at a fair price. Some points of assembly in the instructions were a bit vague (for someone assembling lawnmowers rarely, but worked through.)

Mower is very new, not past first 5 hour oil change, but appears to be quality built and hopefully will last as long as my previous Snapper and serve as well.

Charles Recommends This Snapper Mower

Was this review helpful?

50

Daniel F.Grand Haven, MI

Purchased 5/17/15

REVIEWED

JUL.

03

2015

This Mower Rocks

Had a Snapper like this one for about 10 years and it was great, just couldn't find a few replacement parts (my only complaint, and a serious one...). I replaced that one (which would have still worked fine with just a new push bar bracket and some linkages) with a cheaper Toro and it was no match for the mulching efficiency of the Snapper. This should be the last mower I ever buy!

Daniel Recommends This Snapper Mower

Was this review helpful?

50

Darren B.Alvord, TX

Purchased 3/31/15

REVIEWED

MAY.

13

2015

Not Real Impressed

We bought this commercial grade self-propelled mower to replace a low-end Lawnboy that was constantly requiring new transmissions for the self-propelled feature which we need.

Tiring of spending money nearly every year on expensive transmissions that would not hold up more than a year at a time, we decided to try something that we felt was built better...the Snapper Ninja.

The Lawnboy ran very well and was light weight and easy to maneuver, but with cheap components making up the self-propelled drive feature, it didn't hold up well mechanically.

Ordered this Snapper a couple months ago. It runs great...starts easily with one pull and has a lot of power, but is very heavy in design. Hard to maneuver. However, it seems no grass height slows it down with the 8.5 HP engine.

The only problem I see is the rear wheel drive can't seem to get enough traction to mow a difficult hill we have out front of our property. It's not real smooth terrain, but believe because of the excessive weight of the mower and design of the self-propelled feature (it appears that only the right rear wheel engages), this mower still requires some major help getting across the rough terrain...even with the drive engaged. Works great on flat/smooth terrain, but hills are definitely a challenge with the one rear wheel spinning....trying to pull the heavy mower.

Likewise the single handle that engages the drive is cumbersome at best. Not really ergonomically designed as the Lawnboy was. I believe Snapper could significantly improve on that design to make it easier to manage.

If I had to choose again, I would probably have selected something different for our application. But of course you never know how a piece of equipment is going to work out until you buy it.

We bought this commercial grade self-propelled mower to replace a low-end Lawnboy that was constantly requiring new transmissions for the self-propelled feature which we need.

Tiring of spending money nearly every year on expensive transmissions that would not hold up more than a year at a time, we decided to try something that we felt was built better...the Snapper Ninja.

The Lawnboy ran very well and was light weight and easy to maneuver, but with cheap components making up the... more

Darren Does Not Recommend This Mower

Product Expert

Darren,

Thank you for your honest and thorough review. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.

As you know, reviews play a major factor in helping online shoppers decide what will work best for them. Thanks again, and have a great summer.

I'm now in my second season with this mower. Biggs & Stratton engine. Starts every time on the first pull. Sturdy and teenage boy proof all the way around. Love that. I am disappointed with three things.

First, the front and rear axle width is the same. Since it is a heavy mower it makes ruts in the carpet of grass pushing long blades of grass down. These blades don't get mowed, then they pop up the next day showing long lines of unmowed grass.

Second, it is extremely hard to change the blade height, inspiring many curse words in the middle of an afternoon of mowing.

Third, I have spent way too much time tinkering/fixing the self propel belt. About halfway through the first season the belt started popping off the pulley, well before the belt wore out. Popping off three to four times during a less than half acre mow.

The repair shop has not been able to provide any good advice on how to adjust the self propel mechanism to avoid this problem. Overall, a very good mower. I love the Snapper story. The mower is much sturdier and more reliable than any other mower I have owned in 30 years of grass cutting, and that is what I was going for.

I'm now in my second season with this mower. Biggs & Stratton engine. Starts every time on the first pull. Sturdy and teenage boy proof all the way around. Love that. I am disappointed with three things.

First, the front and rear axle width is the same. Since it is a heavy mower it makes ruts in the carpet of grass pushing long blades of grass down. These blades don't get mowed, then they pop up the next day showing long lines of unmowed grass.

We're sorry to hear you didn't receive a manual with your Snapper. CLICK HERE for a printable version of the manual. We don't sell parts, but if you are missing something from the time it arrived, try calling Snapper to see if they'll send you the missing part or repair it under warranty.

I love the mower, and it does a good job, but twice the engine died due to plastic camshaft.

Pros:Durable, Easy To Use, Price

Cons:Unreliable, should offer the honda engine on this mower...

Richard Does Not Recommend This Mower

Was this review helpful?

30

Adam G.Hoover, AL

Purchased 3/15/16

REVIEWED

APR.

06

2016

Buy It

This is a great mower. This is my second commercial mower. My first was bought in 1997 and used it to cut 15 yards for 14yrs. I even had it til a few years ago. I got a regular snapper homeowner model 3 years ago, but I am spoiled with the commercial feel. So.....I bought this one. As expected, it is awesome. Quiet, smooth, powerful and just amazing. For $719 there is not another mower on the planet that can compete with this. Take my advice and buy the commercial one. You will not be disappointed.

This is a great mower. This is my second commercial mower. My first was bought in 1997 and used it to cut 15 yards for 14yrs. I even had it til a few years ago. I got a regular snapper homeowner model 3 years ago, but I am spoiled with the commercial feel. So.....I bought this one. As expected, it is awesome. Quiet, smooth, powerful and just amazing. For $719 there is not another mower on the planet that can compete with this. Take my advice and buy the commercial one. You will not be... more

Pros:High Quality, Durable, Reliable, Fast

Adam Recommends This Snapper Mower

Was this review helpful?

30

Tom B.Mc Caysville, GA

Purchased 8/30/16

REVIEWED

SEP.

03

2016

Horse Of A Mower

I was 24 when I bought my first mower in 1989. I wanted the Snapper Hi-Vac Self-Propelled with 5.0 hp BS engine, but could only afford the 3.5 hp push model. Many years later, I replaced the engine with a 5.0 hp BS commercial engine, but it was so heavy to push without assist.

Spring forward to 2016, and I just took delivery of this Snapper Commercial Ninja. Wife and I assembled it yesterday. Instructions were a little confusing because the diagrams aren't very clear, and the parts list doesn't match this model exactly.

I mowed our new yard this afternoon. We have a very difficult back yard, with two terraces that are really too steep to mow, and lots of trees and bushes to get around.

After filling with gas, this mower started on 3rd pull and ran perfect in even the most difficult cross-hill and hill climbing conditions. The steel wheels and rubber tires are worth every penny when you are mowing in hilly conditions. Plastic tire/wheels would have just spun in the grass. This mower will climb up a hill that I have a hard time walking up. (Yes - I know I violated about every safety rule on mowing.)

The lack of a throttle on the engine was a little concerning at first, but I quickly forgot I didn't have one. The slowest ground speed on the self-propelled feature worked great for difficult conditions.

This mower is big and heavy and not always easy to move around. But after I learned how to use the self-propelled differential to assist in corners, and how to use it as a brake when the mower was wanting to come back down the hill, it was much easier. Like a big, strong horse, this machine is built to work and does it with ease.

I was 24 when I bought my first mower in 1989. I wanted the Snapper Hi-Vac Self-Propelled with 5.0 hp BS engine, but could only afford the 3.5 hp push model. Many years later, I replaced the engine with a 5.0 hp BS commercial engine, but it was so heavy to push without assist.

Spring forward to 2016, and I just took delivery of this Snapper Commercial Ninja. Wife and I assembled it yesterday. Instructions were a little confusing because the diagrams aren't very clear, and the parts list... more

Tom Recommends This Snapper Mower

Was this review helpful?

20

Corey G.Fort Worth, TX

Purchased 7/13/16

REVIEWED

AUG.

04

2016

Don't Buy

I bought this lawnmower because it said it was Commercial grade.... I got it on a Wednesday after waiting for delivery guy to drop it off since Monday. I put it together, and checked and filled the oil.

We to do yards on that Friday I got 1 yard done and then started on the second and the motor busted. Talking about pissed.... long story short I think snapper is crap now. Nothing like it was when I was growing up. It's a 800 dollar price of junk.

Corey Does Not Recommend This Mower

Product Expert

Corey,

We are very sorry to hear of the issues with the mower. Snapper does offer a 3 year consumer warranty on this model in which it would need to be taken to a local Snapper dealer for warranty/repair work. If you need anything further, please do not hesitate to ask.

For months I was undecided between this Snapper Commercial mower and the $700 hydrostatic Honda HRX.
I finally decided to go with the Snapper due to the price/availability of parts and ease of repairs that I can do myself. Honda makes a great mower but are very difficult and expensive to repair.

The 6.5 hp B&S engine has plenty of power and mulches without bogging down. The steel ball bearing wheels help this beast roll smoothly and effortlessly forward and backward even without the clutch engaged. Price is high, but I expect this mower to last at least a decade.

The only issue I have is the assembly instructions are not very thorough and require a bit of thinking on one's part. Fast shipping from Mowers Direct!

For months I was undecided between this Snapper Commercial mower and the $700 hydrostatic Honda HRX.
I finally decided to go with the Snapper due to the price/availability of parts and ease of repairs that I can do myself. Honda makes a great mower but are very difficult and expensive to repair.

The 6.5 hp B&S engine has plenty of power and mulches without bogging down. The steel ball bearing wheels help this beast roll smoothly and effortlessly forward and backward even without the... more

My first thoughts about this mower is it's solid and will last quite a while. I've had problems with previous mower decks and wheels breaking, but this unit looks like it will hold up for quite awhile!

very satisfied with the mower. Great power and ease of use. The only complaint is the box it was shipped in was not completely sealed and the plastic bag the nuts and bolts came in was open. so in other words I had to make a trip to the local hardware store to by bolts to assemble the mower. Kinda frustrating.

Steve Recommends This Snapper Mower

Was this review helpful?

10

Robert T.Medina, OH

Purchased 6/16/16

REVIEWED

AUG.

22

2016

Best Mower I've Ever Owned!

Seriously! This is the best mower I've ever owned! It has the most power and the most torque of any mower I've ever owned - including Snappers. And I've used Snappers for the last 20 or so years. This thing cuts through anything and doesn't miss a beat. I have hills in my yard and sometimes the grass gets rather high. No problem for this mower!

The only thing that caught me by surprise is the fact that it does not have a throttle control. This took me a bit to get used to, but I love it. It runs flat out all the time, which is what I really need it to do.

The starting system works great - no setting choke, no pushing little primer bulbs. Just pull the rope and it starts - hot or cold. Couldn't ask for more. And it is good on gas too. I can trim my whole yard on one tank, and I have almost two acres! Runs great! This thing should last me many years!

Seriously! This is the best mower I've ever owned! It has the most power and the most torque of any mower I've ever owned - including Snappers. And I've used Snappers for the last 20 or so years. This thing cuts through anything and doesn't miss a beat. I have hills in my yard and sometimes the grass gets rather high. No problem for this mower!

The only thing that caught me by surprise is the fact that it does not have a throttle control. This took me a bit to get used to, but I love... more

"I knew what I wanted starting out. Just needed to find the right place to get it. Mowers Direct gave me a good price. Good service.
Some of my friends just have to go to the big box store to "actually touch what they are buying". I have more confidence than that. I know what Snappers are and how they work. I love the design. I'm a Snapper guy for a long time comin'."

I have owned three different Snappers, an NXT, a Hi Vac and now the Ninja Commercial. If Snapper could combine the plus side of all three machines they would have a Super Mower.

My only complaint about the Ninja Commercial is that it takes five or more pulls to start once the machine has been in use and allowed to sit for more than a few minutes. If I stop the machine to refuel it starts right up again. If I stop to take ten it gives me difficulty. Other than that the mower is great.

The ninja blade chops the grass into small pieces while the disc drive allows me to walk beside the mower if necessary with no real effort from me to propel it unlike the so called personal pace drive systems as are found on the NXT model. The power of the engine makes cutting most high grass easy.

The reader should know I live in Florida where the grass grows by the hour. Mowing weekly isn't enough if you want to remove only 1/3 of the blade so my mower gets quite a work out. Finally, rear axle allows me to spin the owner easily without digging into the grass or using up my energy which the sun and heat down here do nicely on their own. I would recommend this mower strongly.

I have owned three different Snappers, an NXT, a Hi Vac and now the Ninja Commercial. If Snapper could combine the plus side of all three machines they would have a Super Mower.

My only complaint about the Ninja Commercial is that it takes five or more pulls to start once the machine has been in use and allowed to sit for more than a few minutes. If I stop the machine to refuel it starts right up again. If I stop to take ten it gives me difficulty. Other than that the mower is great. more

Pros:High Quality, Durable, Reliable, I'd Buy It Again

Cons:Restarting Once Warmed Up

Charles Recommends This Snapper Mower

Charles's Experience With Power Equipment Direct

Web Site

5/5

Service

5/5

Shipping

5/5

"I purchased a Ninja that had to be returned due to a warped deck. This, of course had nothing to do with Mowers Direct but Snapper. The mower was picked up and returned with no hassle.
I'm still waiting for my money back on the first Ninja as I purchased a second due to my need to mow here in Florida. I was told it would take up to ten business days and I am confident that Mowers Direct will credit my account.
This is the fourth mower I have purchased through MD and will not hesitate to do so again if the need arises."

The mower is running at full blast all the time sounds like it will blow up at any time. The speed control that is supposed to be load sensitive does not work and Snapper will not respond to my emails. I bought this because I had two before and love the drive system but now I wonder about my wisdom.

Lloyd Does Not Recommend This Mower

Product Expert

Lloyd,

Sorry to hear they are not responding. Please let us know if you will like us to email the factory on your behalf.

I purchased the Snapper Commercial after receiving the Snapper Ninja which did not have engine throttle control as pictured on the Mowers Direct website. This mower was returned. Much to my surprise, the commercial model also did not have throttle control. As a result, the Commercial model was also returned. With a price tag of $720, you would expect to receive what is advertised.

Ben Does Not Recommend This Mower

Ben's Experience With Power Equipment Direct

Web Site

4/5

Service

5/5

Shipping

5/5

"Mowers Direct is a well managed and operated firm.
However the Snapper vendor evidently did not provide current product information to them. Shipping was
prompt. I expect to receive what I pay for and was not satisfied with the product received."